Is the team better than last year or not

[12th Man]

I even asked myself the question last year, do I want to renew my season ticket ? theres an abundance of other things I could be doing.

Last season the football didnt flow, we couldnt string any passes together, long balls, a free kick specialist who rarely got a shot on target, an own goal Golabart, worst thing for me was a lack of belief or conviction in front of goal.

I enjoyed the game against Killy and this team is still in its infancy.

Simple Q better or not? I would say I got my moneys worth watching that game.

[davie]

answered your own question there.

[ICTPaisley]

A bit early to decide if this teams any better, we're missing Hayes, tokely and tade who contributed quite a bit last year. So far we've had two draws, im fairly happy with the outcomes but is it improvement on last seasons results against these teams? Probably not.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

The answer actually so far is No.

[Yngwie]

A bit early to decide if this teams any better, we're missing Hayes, tokely and tade who contributed quite a bit last year.

According to commentators Tokely was getting skinned all afternoon at Pittodrie and could only stop his man by fouling.

[ICTPaisley]

A bit early to decide if this teams any better, we're missing Hayes, tokely and tade who contributed quite a bit last year.

According to commentators Tokely was getting skinned all afternoon at Pittodrie and could only stop his man by fouling.

Only watched the first 30 mins on BBC alba last night so can't comment for the entire game but from what I seen he was doing a good job and looked very commanding.

Also good to see Duncan getting an spl start as well as a sub appearance this season, looks like he's not as dreadful as people were trying to make out last season.

[PaderbornCaley]

Butcher has got the signings right this summer. I like every one of the new signings. There seems to be higher team spirit than this time last year.

The only worry is that the squad is smaller than last seasons. We have lost a few good players but we have made solid signings and as a team, they seem to be better than last season.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

They SEEM to be.

[PaderbornCaley]

They SEEM to be.

Yes, so after 2 games this is how I see it. But you say no. What are you seeing differently from me?

[old caley girl]

It's still a work in progress but I think this team is much better than last season. I also feel Terry has bought well considering his budget. I do think that folk need a reality check re who we can buy. We are not M@S shoppers more like pound stretchers!

[Oddquine]

The answer actually so far is No.

How many of the two have you attended?

[Tichy_Blacks_Back]

Yip look a better unit and showed glimpses on Saturday what they can do but need to learn how to make teams pay. Still think we lack a cutting edge up front but injuries and suspensions will be our biggest threat.

[Oddquine]

Butcher has got the signings right this summer. I like every one of the new signings. There seems to be higher team spirit than this time last year.

The only worry is that the squad is smaller than last seasons. We have lost a few good players but we have made solid signings and as a team, they seem to be better than last season.

Butcher, with Motherwell, appeared fairly good at identifying and bringing on decent young players, and to an extent, it rather looks as if he is looking in that direction for the future of ICT. May work....may not....but what are his options if he doesn't do that, given we don't have the money to sign practically two full teams at silly money wages? The youngsters may not be anything but bench warmers in the short term...but who knows how they will perform if they get more than the last few minutes of a game?

I'd have thought given the "no ICT mjnded players" complaints voiced on here a lot, every time past longer term signings, whatever their origins, are released,, most punters should have no problems with giving the ICT kids a chance, particularly if it prevents ICT emulating Rangers and entering administration.

[+DoofersDad]

Looks promising to me. We haven't got a replacement for Jonny Hayes on a good day but to be honest, he didn't have too many of those - we tended to see flashes of brilliance rather than consistent tormenting of defences over 90 minutes. I just get the sense that this team will blend together nicely and will end up having a better balance to it. We just need someone to get some confidence in front of goal.

[starchief]

It's a got a chance of being a better team as, last year, we had Hogg, Jones, Hayes and Doran all out for large parts of the season and Foran playing with an injury. As long as we don't have injuries to our crucial players this season, we should do alright.

The players we will miss will be Hayes (when fit) and Gillett. But what can you do? We missed Rooney last season. Can't always find high quality players, willing to play for virtually nothing.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

They SEEM to be.

Yes, so after 2 games this is how I see it. But you say no. What are you seeing differently from me?

For the attention of Oddquine - I have watched the Coventry, Brechin and Midden matches. Apologies but they were flippant repsonses as I dont feel that you can make comparisons until at least 6-7 games in to a season. When I have watched the signs have been very encouraging and they seem to be gelling better than last season. But we will have to wait and see to deliver a more fact based answer.

So the answer at the moment is NO.

[Yngwie]

If you interpret the question as asking whether we are better than at the same stage last year, then we are surely much improved. As a reminder, last year started 0-3 v Motherwell and 0-1 at home to Hibs.

If you mean are we playing better than when we got fully up and running last season, then no, but you wouldn't expect us to be after just 2 games.